This weekend City of Coventry Brass will premiere a new work from the pen of Philip Harper. 'In Gardens of Peace' will feature solo euphonium, Micah Parsons in a performance directed by conductor Stephen Cooper.

The work was commissioned by Micah (above) after a visit to the Somme Battlefields in August 2014 to honour his Great Grandfather Henry Nichols, who was a cornet player in the Coventry City Salvation Army Band just before the start of the First World War.

Personal

After asking Philip to write the work, the Cory MD was also taken by the very personal inspiration behind the commission. "The work commemorates the life of Micah's great grandfather who was killed in battle, and is inspired by the unique aura which pervades burial grounds and cemeteries where he and others now lie — the sense of peaceful tranquillity, but also tragedy and loss."

Passionate

He added: "The euphonium is the ideal solo voice to articulate this with its soulful depth of sound and ability to soar passionately over the ensemble — characteristics which are developed throughout the piece. The music ends positively, with the wish that hope can come from despair."

...is inspired by the unique aura which pervades burial grounds and cemeteries where he and others now lie — the sense of peaceful tranquillity, but also tragedy and lossPhilip Harper

Emotive

Micah, who has just been awarded a first class degree in Music Performance studying under the tuition of Steven Mead, added: "It's exciting to collaborate with Philip Harper on such an emotive project that commemorates such an important personal family tragedy as well as national event in British history."